Social Studies

Mr. Moss

 

Dear Parents and Students,

Students in the 3rd grade are introduced to 8 vocabulary terms that we will be using throughout the year, called the 8 strands of social studies. They will be asked to create graphic organizers in their notebooks so that they will have a glossary of each strand, including a definition (it can be in their own words) and some examples and illustrations of each term. Students can look up the words in the dictionary (all but social studies skills can be found there) but I encourage students to create meaningful definitions in their own words so that the strands start to make sense to them. They will be working with me, their classroom teachers, and their classmates throughout the year to enhance their understanding of these strands, as well as be able to describe them to others and consider how those strands relate to whatever topic they may be studying. They don't need to start off as experts and the journey of being able to research through these 8 strands will be a process (and progress) which will improve as the year goes on. Some parents have asked me to help clarify the strands so here are a few examples of how my students have chosen to describe the 8 strands of social studies:

History: Things that have happened in the past that shape who we are today.

Geography: The study of the Earth and its various landscapes.

Economics: How people deal with their resources; including buying, selling, trading, and conserving. Government: A group of people who make the rules and laws for their citizens.

Citizenship: Being a member of a larger group (community, city, state, country).

Culture: All of the unique traits that makes us all who we are (language, clothing style, religion, traditions). Science/Technology:Man-made resources and inventions that have furthered mankind.

Social Studies Skills: Examples of people interacting with each other (communicating, helping, trading, war, peace).

These are just some of the definitions I've found interesting from my students over the years. I hope this was helpful as you go on the journey with your children discovering (in the end) how all 8 strands actually are much more intertwined than we may think at first.

- Mr. Moss